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Local man sworn in as magistrate judge

Bingham County residents, along with local and regional dignitaries, offered an excellent show of support at the Bannock County Courthouse in Pocatello Friday afternoon as Blackfoot resident Scott Axline was sworn in as the new Bannock County Magistrate Judge. Axline takes the place of the Honorable Gaylen Box who recently retired as a full time magistrate judge to work as a senior judge for the state of Idaho.
The Magistrates' Commission Chairman, the Honorable Stephen Dunn, who appointed Axline, welcomed the audience at the swearing-in ceremony, joking about the high number of people in attendance to support Axline saying, "I knew we would be flooded with 'Blackfoot-ites' today."
The Honorable Jon Shindurling of Bonneville County who administered the 'oath of office' to Axline, offered words of praise and advice to the new judge, saying, "The district is blessed by your experience; it gives you the diversity to work with people who have problems. It's important to have patience. When you make a decision, live with it and then move on to the next case."
Following the swearing-in, an emotional Axline, first thanked his Maker for everything that has been provided for him. He went on to thank his wife Jackie and their four children -Travis, Makenzie, Brooke and Whitney - as well as the numerous judges who impacted his life and his career.
"I would also like to thank my father, who was not of a legal profession or an educator," he went on. "But he was the best judge and teacher I have ever known. I thank my mother who allowed him to be a great judge and educator. My mother's example makes me appreciate my lovely wife, Jackie, for all she has done, particularly enduring the 16-20 hour days most recently."
"I appreciate my time as a law clerk with Judge Arnold T. Beebe, who was a district judge (in Bingham County)," he said. "I hope I can be half the judge that he was."
Axline's daughters Mackenzie and Whitney, who were at the ceremony to do the "donning of the robe" for their father, said "they are very proud of him and know that he will make an excellent judge."
Axline received his BA from Idaho State University in 1981 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho in 1984. He had his own law practice in Blackfoot since 1986 where he worked in the areas of domestic relations, personal injury, probate, child protection, criminal defense and civil-related cases in the Sixth and Seventh Judicial Districts.
As a magistrate judge, Axline will hear misdemeanor cases, DUI's, divorces and variety of other cases. As a provision of his appointment, he and his family will be required to move to Bannock County within the next few months.